Does anyone know a good Japanese metaphor for life?

[bertha katzenengel]

???

[amazona]

1. the nail that sticks up gets hammered

That might be the only Japanese saying I know at all.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[jobycom]

2. Life is like a box of sushi...

Okay, I'm just BSing. I don't know any Japanese metaphors. I do love Junmai Ginjo Nigori sake, though. And Myizake. (Hey, that rhymes!)

[ghostsofgiants]

3. Actually that would be a simile

[jobycom]

7. Egads! The SHAME!

I know the difference, I do. I really do!

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. What about the bendy reed in the wind.. is that Japanese?

[bertha katzenengel]

10. I don't know -- is it? Do you know the whole thing? or

its origin? :shrug:

It's for my niece, who relates best to things if they're Japanese. She's an anime princess.

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. Well it's definitely Asian. So is the butterfly that flaps its wings one.

[bertha katzenengel]

12. I have never heard these.

Hmm... some research is in order -- active research, not just posting a question and relying on my DU friends to come up w/ the answers!

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. Google is yer best friend :^D I am positive you will find both of

those. In fact. Keep an eye out for Zen meditation sites.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

5. Where does the hole go when the cheese is gone?

from one of my all time favorite books

[lateo]

6. Have some tea!

[graywarrior]

8. The bigger the front, the bigger the back.

[dbonds]

9. Man who fart in church has to set in his own pew

[crispini]

14. Fall down seven times,

stand up eight.

I don't know who actually said it but I think he was Japanese.

edit: Or how about the "Am I a man dreaming I am a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming I'm a man?" That's Lao Tzu --- wups, Chinese. Hm....